RT vs. Pro: Which Surface is best for your agency?

The release of Microsoft’s Surface Pro tablet in February brought it into the picture for agencies considering issuing agency tablets or implementing “bring you own device” mobile strategies. Beyond the tablet format, however, the real question may be which of the two different OS versions available is the best fit for agencies.

There actually are four versions of Windows 8 right now — Windows 8 RT, Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise. Let's look at the whole tablet/operating system package, meaning the Surface RT and Surface Pro.

The Surface RT runs on a Quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, which is ARM-based. As such, it can’t run standard off-the-shelf software that typically is made for x86-based processors. However, there is a version of Office made for RT, and it comes pre-installed on the device. There are also many apps available at the Windows Store for RT.

Beneath the surface

Surface RT

Surface Pro

Processor

Nvidia Tegra 3(ARM)

Intel Core i5

Office suite

Office for RT

Full Microsoft Office

Software

Apps, games, news, productivity

Full applications (Photoshop, etc.)

Office connectivity

E-mail

Remote Access

Hard drive

32G or 64G

64G or 128G

Security

Windows Defender, TPM chip

App Locker, Group Policy, TPM chip

Weight

1.5 pounds

2 pounds

Thickness

9.3 mm

13.5 mm

Price

$599 (64G)

$999 (128G)

The processor and other components were chosen for their relatively low drain on power, which allows the RT to last much longer than its counterparts. Storage is a bit of an issue because the OS and system recovery tools take up about half of the base model’s 32G of storage space, leaving 16G. Alternatively, the 64G option leaves 45G of storage. This puts the starting price at $599 with the larger hard drive.

The Surface Pro has an Intel Core i5 processor, which of course is x86-based, and is much more powerful than the processor in the RT. Also, it can run the full version of Office, as well as any off-the-shelf software for Windows desktop computers. The OS also can be upgraded to Windows 8 Enterprise, which has additional network access and security features and thus might be useful for government agency settings. The much larger OS takes up even more room than RT, so the 128G hard drive option, which leaves 89G for the user, will provide needed room. This configuration starts at $999.

So, if an agency is considering the Surface, which version would be better? It comes down to answering some basic questions about how the tablet will be used.

If battery life and portability are important, the RT could be the better option.

If the user runs complex or demanding apps or needs a full version of Office, including full Remote Access, Pro is the better option.

If e-mail access is the main requirement, the RT will be sufficient, though full domain access would require the Pro.

And although both versions have device encryption, Trusted Platform Module and security software, the Pro adds Group Policy controls and the ability to interface with third-party controls.

For most government uses, the Surface Pro would probably be preferred. However, for jobs where employees are out of the office for hours at a time -- and can get by on apps optimized for tablets and limited network access -- the Surface RT likely has enough battery power to get the work done.

inside gcn

Reader Comments

Mon, Dec 23, 2013

Really, your serious? Microsoft Products? And why would you use such a device? I can't imagine anyone really taking your article serious, and if they are I don't know what to say to them other than.
Really?

Thu, Oct 17, 2013

My work has web sites that only work with Internet Explorer so I have to get one of these. No one else has invented a web browser or app that can fool them. Looks like I'll have to get the Surface just because of that

Thu, Mar 21, 2013
Paul
Virginia

Sorry but I am like a maid. I do not do Windows. Cant see any reason to have either of these tablets in the work place. Microsoft Office is not a reason to use these products and shame on the U.S. government for not sticking to open document format standards. All documents of all types should be kept formatted to be easily opened with any viable office product without having to be reformatted. This should be a competitive open market. It should not be a, "Oh wow that looks so pretty". A good plain format is much more professional looking and much more pleasing to the eye. Also gets the point across much better.

Wed, Mar 20, 2013
Curtis Quick
Taipei, Taiwan

Actually, Surface RT does come with MS Office. I use it often on my Surface RT and it does great. Since I am not an Outlook user, I have not had any problems with Surface RT's lack of Outlook in MS Office. I find it quite easy to be productive with my Surface RT. However, I also have a Surface Pro and the fact that it does run standard windows software does make a difference. Even so, I do like the thinner, lighter, longer lasting Surface RT a lot just the same. That is the one I carry around with me wherever I go.

Wed, Mar 20, 2013

There is not much to compare between the surface pro and the surface rt ,but the asus vivotab smart could be a a better tablet to compare then the surface rt because it runs fun wondows and has 64gb.